Scan barcode
bhookjunkhie's review against another edition
5.0
This was really great storytelling...Raw and gritty...I felt the 70’s come to life...the feel of the time, and the people...The pain so many went through...A great thriller!
emilykabbott's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: War and Addiction
Minor: Abortion
mhaslam5's review
2.0
Really disappointed. The King of Lies and Down River were great, but every book after seems to be progressively worse. I'd be surprised if I picked up the next John Hart book.
sunshine_in_sc's review
5.0
Lord, that man can write! I'm trying to realize I'm in 2021 instead of 1972. Loved this book from beginning to end. For the things stated as well as the hope left unsaid. Wow.
goodneighborbooks's review
5.0
The Unwilling engaged all of my senses, I wasn't just reading a story set in '72, I felt like I was an 18 year-old, dealing with the reality and fallout of Vietnam. The novel is fast moving and will keep a tight grip on you all the way through. I read it in just a few sittings, churning through the second half of the book in one afternoon/evening (despite the pleas of my children and the side-eye of my wife).
This book needs to be a part of your summer reading!
This book needs to be a part of your summer reading!
judithdcollins's review
5.0
THE UNWILLING is masterful!
New York Times bestselling author John Hart is one of the finest Southern storytellers out today. Once you read one of his books with richly drawn characters, you become a fan for life. He keeps getting better and better (if this is even possible)!
A fantastic in-depth Elevator Ride Interview with John —"the story behind the story," and behind this (FUN) talented author with exclusives, you do not want to miss!
In this stellar, intricate, and complex tale of family, war, prison, murder, courage, sacrifice, love, and fear, Hart showcases his keen ability to explore the depths of the human capacity for resilience and trust in the face of heartbreaking betrayal and injustice. Some heroes are behind the scenes, living through horrors, where nothing is as it appears.
Who would guess after war and prison, that coming home would be one of the worst traumas?
THE UNWILLING, set in 1972 in Charlotte, NC, during significant times of change—a divided country much like today. The tensions and fear are high from desegregation, civil rights, communism, corruption, crooked leaders, gas prices, and let us not forget Watergate, and the Vietnam War, among other events. However, there were simple fun times, pre-cell phones, computers, and adventures at the quarry with their friends.
While inspired by the Mỹ Lai massacre and the Vietnam War, the powerful, explosive, and compelling story focuses on the family war back home in the South in North Carolina.
The Vietnam war had not been kind to the French family. They had buried their oldest son Robert, then watched his twin brother Jason return from the war to spiral out of control with violence, drugs, and prison. The younger son, Gibson (Gibby), was almost in his own prison, due to his overprotective obsessive mom trying to guard him against the world’s darkness. And the detective dad, Bill, always trying to smooth things over, among other things.
However, everything is not as it appears. When Jason (misunderstood) returns to get to know his younger brother, things do not go as planned. What occurs on the home front can often be as dangerous as the war.
Jason returns after a dishonorable discharge from the Marines. There was drug use, prison, and violence, and his family does not want him around his younger brother Gibby. They see Trouble with a capital "T." He is not the favorite son.
Gibby, the younger brother, a high school senior, wants to get to know his brother, and Jason wants the same. However, the mother is dead set against it and turns her back on Jason as well as others in the town. She thinks she can guard Gibby against the world. Not a nice person with her own problems.
Jason's twin brother, Robert, was the family hero. The one they all looked up to. (however, who is the real hero)?
There are good times at the local quarry for Gibby and his friends as they decide their future paths. Many beautiful metaphors parallel with the storyline in many ways. Some great supporting characters and friends of Gibby - Becky and Chase which offer support.
When Giby and Jason are having a fun day (letting loose) with some wild fun accompanied by two of Jason's women friends, they find themselves at the wrong place at the wrong time. They run into a busload of convicts from the state prison. Someone is calling the shots, and soon, Jason finds himself accused of murder. A setup. However, Jason is quiet, but you know something more sinister is going on behind the scenes. He wants to guard his younger brother.
Gibby believes in his brother's innocence. He is determined to prove it. He puts himself in harm's way, trying to help his brother. He discovers some astonishing information about his brother Jason that changes his views, and is even more determined to help his brother during his sleuthing.
One evil man is controlling the shots —a wealthy, dangerous man in prison. Prisoner X. Gibby has no clue about Prisoner X and what this powerful man wants with Jason? Will the truth come out?
Raw and emotional, THE UNWILLING, without a doubt, is John's BEST yet!
This well-crafted novel (with plenty of heart-pounding action) is a blend of crime fiction, psychological thriller, domestic, suspense, cop procedural, mystery, coming of age, Southern, historical, legal, literary fiction. It has its all.
From a master storyteller, the writing is lyrical with vivid descriptions of the time and place, drawing you in. Hart has his own unique winning signature style with strong characterization and twisty plots.
Deftly blending tension with darkness and light, good vs. evil the author makes his characters think and feel. He dives deep into their souls while experiencing conflicts (both inner and outward), and somehow there is always a lesson to be learned from the hardship and journey.
If you enjoy a mix of authors: John Grisham, Harlan Coben, Greg Hurwitz, William Kent Krueger, David Baldacci, and C.J. Box, you must read John Hart's books.
I cannot wait for a follow up to REDEMPTION ROAD (another favorite) and hope we see some of the characters again in the future from THE UNWILLING. A movie or T.V. series, please.
New York Times bestselling author John Hart is one of the finest Southern storytellers out today. Once you read one of his books with richly drawn characters, you become a fan for life. He keeps getting better and better (if this is even possible)!
A fantastic in-depth Elevator Ride Interview with John —"the story behind the story," and behind this (FUN) talented author with exclusives, you do not want to miss!
In this stellar, intricate, and complex tale of family, war, prison, murder, courage, sacrifice, love, and fear, Hart showcases his keen ability to explore the depths of the human capacity for resilience and trust in the face of heartbreaking betrayal and injustice. Some heroes are behind the scenes, living through horrors, where nothing is as it appears.
Who would guess after war and prison, that coming home would be one of the worst traumas?
THE UNWILLING, set in 1972 in Charlotte, NC, during significant times of change—a divided country much like today. The tensions and fear are high from desegregation, civil rights, communism, corruption, crooked leaders, gas prices, and let us not forget Watergate, and the Vietnam War, among other events. However, there were simple fun times, pre-cell phones, computers, and adventures at the quarry with their friends.
While inspired by the Mỹ Lai massacre and the Vietnam War, the powerful, explosive, and compelling story focuses on the family war back home in the South in North Carolina.
The Vietnam war had not been kind to the French family. They had buried their oldest son Robert, then watched his twin brother Jason return from the war to spiral out of control with violence, drugs, and prison. The younger son, Gibson (Gibby), was almost in his own prison, due to his overprotective obsessive mom trying to guard him against the world’s darkness. And the detective dad, Bill, always trying to smooth things over, among other things.
However, everything is not as it appears. When Jason (misunderstood) returns to get to know his younger brother, things do not go as planned. What occurs on the home front can often be as dangerous as the war.
Jason returns after a dishonorable discharge from the Marines. There was drug use, prison, and violence, and his family does not want him around his younger brother Gibby. They see Trouble with a capital "T." He is not the favorite son.
Gibby, the younger brother, a high school senior, wants to get to know his brother, and Jason wants the same. However, the mother is dead set against it and turns her back on Jason as well as others in the town. She thinks she can guard Gibby against the world. Not a nice person with her own problems.
Jason's twin brother, Robert, was the family hero. The one they all looked up to. (however, who is the real hero)?
There are good times at the local quarry for Gibby and his friends as they decide their future paths. Many beautiful metaphors parallel with the storyline in many ways. Some great supporting characters and friends of Gibby - Becky and Chase which offer support.
When Giby and Jason are having a fun day (letting loose) with some wild fun accompanied by two of Jason's women friends, they find themselves at the wrong place at the wrong time. They run into a busload of convicts from the state prison. Someone is calling the shots, and soon, Jason finds himself accused of murder. A setup. However, Jason is quiet, but you know something more sinister is going on behind the scenes. He wants to guard his younger brother.
Gibby believes in his brother's innocence. He is determined to prove it. He puts himself in harm's way, trying to help his brother. He discovers some astonishing information about his brother Jason that changes his views, and is even more determined to help his brother during his sleuthing.
One evil man is controlling the shots —a wealthy, dangerous man in prison. Prisoner X. Gibby has no clue about Prisoner X and what this powerful man wants with Jason? Will the truth come out?
Raw and emotional, THE UNWILLING, without a doubt, is John's BEST yet!
This well-crafted novel (with plenty of heart-pounding action) is a blend of crime fiction, psychological thriller, domestic, suspense, cop procedural, mystery, coming of age, Southern, historical, legal, literary fiction. It has its all.
"We the unwilling, led by the unqualified to kill the unfortunate, die for the ungrateful." —Unknown Soldier
From a master storyteller, the writing is lyrical with vivid descriptions of the time and place, drawing you in. Hart has his own unique winning signature style with strong characterization and twisty plots.
Deftly blending tension with darkness and light, good vs. evil the author makes his characters think and feel. He dives deep into their souls while experiencing conflicts (both inner and outward), and somehow there is always a lesson to be learned from the hardship and journey.
If you enjoy a mix of authors: John Grisham, Harlan Coben, Greg Hurwitz, William Kent Krueger, David Baldacci, and C.J. Box, you must read John Hart's books.
I cannot wait for a follow up to REDEMPTION ROAD (another favorite) and hope we see some of the characters again in the future from THE UNWILLING. A movie or T.V. series, please.
barbaraskalberg's review against another edition
4.0
I very much enjoyed this one. Crime thrillers are not my go-to genre, but this one was really more about a father and his sons and there happened to be crime thriller things happening around and to them. Great story telling, great character development. I was sad when it was over.
slavicsongbird's review
5.0
I want to give this book more than 5 stars. It's such an amazing, brilliant, fantastic book as I have not read in a while! The characters are wonderfully flawed and real, and I don't mean that in the usual way readers say such things when they mean they were more than two-dimentional, I mean it literally. The story is wonderful and though I suppose some suspention of disbelief is required, I could not care less. In fact, in this book, a unicorn could have probably flown by riding a chimera and it wouldn't have bothered me, because I just know it would have been explained and written in a way where one would have to allow for it.
I really really really want to see this book made into a film or a mini series. I doubt either could do it justice but I believe the transmition could be great.
In short, in the affect of the first read, I cannot find one fault with this book. In fact, I want to shake the author by the hand and congratulate him. So, if you ever happen to read this review by some miracle, Mr. Hart, thank you for The Unwilling.
I really really really want to see this book made into a film or a mini series. I doubt either could do it justice but I believe the transmition could be great.
In short, in the affect of the first read, I cannot find one fault with this book. In fact, I want to shake the author by the hand and congratulate him. So, if you ever happen to read this review by some miracle, Mr. Hart, thank you for The Unwilling.